(Trinidad Guardian) Ag Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigation Curt Simon yesterday praised God and the investigators whose work led to two men being arrested and charged for the murders of four members of the Peterkin family at their home in Heights of Guanapo, Arima.
Jalani Rivers, 22, and Jodel Noel, 24, have been jointly charged with the murders of the Peterkin siblings on September 21.The charges were laid yesterday by acting Insp Simon of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Two.
The men were also charged with five counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and shooting with intent following advice received from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Roger Gaspard, SC.
They are expected to appear virtually before an Arima magistrate today.
The victims, Faith Peterkin, 10, Arianna Peterkin, 14, Shain Peterkin, 17 and Tiffany Peterkin, 19, were fatally shot when gunmen invaded their home shortly after midnight.
Five other members of the family, including a 14-year-old girl, were injured in the attack which occurred just after midnight on September 21.
Rivers and Noel are expected to appear virtually before an Arima magistrate today.
A release from the T&T Police Service (TTPS) yesterday stated that at 12.30 am on September 21, officers responded to a report of loud explosions heard at La Retreat Extension, Heights of Guanapo, Arima.
Upon arrival, police were directed to a house where they found the bodies of nine people, all suffering from gunshot wounds. The injured were taken to hospital as they showed signs of life.
The siblings’ murders sparked nationwide outrage and there had been a strong police response with patrols, surveillance exercises and searches in several parts of Arima.
Last Monday, police detained three men who they said might have information on the quadruple murders following an early morning raid at a shed in Aripo.
Officers from the Pinto Road Police Post and Northern Division Task Force visited a house off Morne Pouis Road, Aripo, at 3.30 am and found three men—ages 34, 24 and 21 years—who were wanted in connection with several shootings, woundings and murders in Arima.
Commenting briefly yesterday, Simon said he was pleased with the outcome of investigations into the killings.